Portret van Cosimo III de' Medici, groothertog van Toscane 1665 - 1725

This is Arnold van Westerhout's portrait of Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, rendered in ink on paper. The process of engraving – carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper – is key to understanding its impact. Each line, each curve, each shadow is a result of deliberate, painstaking labor. Think of the engraver's hand, guided by skill and precision, slowly building up the image. The hatching and cross-hatching create depth and texture, mimicking the sheen of the Duke's armor and the delicate lace at his collar. The graphic nature of the medium lends a sense of formality and authority to the portrait. The act of creating and distributing prints like this one was itself tied to social and economic forces. It allowed for wider circulation of images, shaping public perception and solidifying the Duke’s image. We see the convergence of artistic skill, reproductive technology, and social power. It challenges us to appreciate the skill of the printmaker and the broader context of its creation.